European Leaders Speak Out on Iran Strikes, but the Time for Talk Is Over

It's on. The theocratic regime in Iran is, to put it bluntly, getting its teeth kicked in by the United States and Israel, with surgical air strikes on regime political and military targets, starting on Saturday (I'm tempted here to say, "called it.") That's worth doing, and with a bit of luck, the regime will be decapitated, allowing the Iranian people to finally take their country back.

Meanwhile, in Europe, pearls are being predictably clutched. A trio of invertebrate European leaders is calling for a return to talks with Iran: The United Kingdom's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, France's President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. On Saturday, these three called for a return to the negotiating table.

European leaders held emergency meetings and took measures to protect their citizens in the Middle East, with key leaders calling for a negotiated settlement between Iran and the U.S. Australia and Canada were more open in their support for the strikes, while Russia and China responded with criticism.
Britain, France and Germany called for a resumption of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations and condemned Iranian attacks on countries in the region. They did not directly comment on the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in a statement their countries didn’t take part in the strikes on Iran but are in close contact with the U.S., Israel and partners in the region.

Yes, sometimes jaw, jaw, jaw is better than war, war, war - but we're past that point now. Iran won't negotiate in good faith. They are, to put it bluntly, liars. The Trump administration did attempt to engage them, but the line in the sand was Iran's nuclear program: President Trump insisted that Iran give up their nuclear program entirely. Iran refused. Now they count the cost.

The three countries have led efforts to reach a negotiated solution over Iran’s nuclear program.
“We condemn Iranian attacks on countries in the region in the strongest terms. Iran must refrain from indiscriminate military strikes. We call for a resumption of negotiations and urge the Iranian leadership to seek a negotiated solution. Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future,” they said.

Here's the part the Euro-weenies don't seem to get: This is how the Iranian people will be allowed to determine their future. They couldn't, when they were stuck under the boots of the regime's military. Now, they have a chance. The problem of the theocratic rule of the mullahs is being resolved by a suitable application of high explosives.

The time for talk is over. Now it's time to kick some and take some.

Russia has likewise weighed in:

Russia’s Foreign Ministry called the strikes “a pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent U.N. member state.” The ministry accused Washington and Tel Aviv of “hiding behind” concerns about Iran’s nuclear program while actually pursuing regime change.

One is tempted to ask Russia, "Excuse me? Unprovoked act of armed aggression? Have you talked to Ukraine lately?"

China, also, is complaining:

China’s government said it was “highly concerned” about the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and called for an immediate halt to the military action and a return to negotiations. “Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected,” a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement said.

The proper response to China in this matter is, simply, "No."

UPDATED: President Trump Confirms 'Major Combat Operation' in Iran

Canada, on the other hand, is supporting the strikes. Prime Minister Carney stops short of calling for actual regime change, but otherwise seems to understand what side his poutine is buttered on.

My statement on Iran-related hostilities in the Middle East: pic.twitter.com/NcC8Pzq2Ba
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) February 28, 2026

So, what conclusions can we draw from all this?

The international community is reacting predictably. (I admit Canada's response was a bit of a surprise.) The three major European powers, the UK, France, and Germany, are pale shadows of what they once were, and their replies here reflect that. Russia and China will reflexively oppose any American and Israeli action in Iran, but honestly, there isn't much of anything they can do about it other than complain. This is now Israel and the United States' play, and it sure looks like the objective is to take out Iran's present government and allow the Iranian people to set up a new, better one - one that won't be a major state sponsor of Islamic terrorism.

Europe can clutch all the pearls it likes. The time for talking with Iran is clearly over. We're opening a big, beautiful door for the Iranian people to walk through and take their country back. And, it's about time.

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